For all you Daisy Mayhem and May Erlewine fans, we went to a super -- but intimate -- little concert last night up in the hills. Way up in the hills.

The event brought together May and Seth from Michigan, with Rani Arbo and friends from various corners of New England. All were in great form.

Naturally, they sang Shine On, May Erlewine's stellar anthem. I told her how many Birds on a Wire readers love her song, and that is the truth! She promises to send a video soon for us to post and enjoy. Thanks, May!

Sorry all of you couldn't have been there. I know you would have enjoyed yourselves (as long as you were bundled up and dry). The night was cool to begin with, but then it rained on and off. Nobody seemed to mind. The food and music were superb.

The evening began with a clambake. An enormous amount of steamers, clam chowder, lobster, barbecued chicken, potatoes, corn, strawberry shortcake and berry pie was consumed. Dave and I might not eat again for a week.

I promise to put up video as soon as I can edit it but, in the meantime, here are a few shots I took of the festivities. Enjoy!

Here are the lyrics to Daisy May Erlewine's song, Shine On. I think you'll see why I find it perfect for all survivors, even those of us who simply made it to a certain age.

Knocked me off of my feet But I think it's time for me to start walking again, Stop running away from things. Next time you see me, I will be singing a new song/ I am learning to shine on.

Shine on, shine on, There'll be time enough for darkness when everything's gone. Shine on, shine on, There is work to be done in the dark before dawn.

It's been hard not to give in, And it ain't easy living in hard times. I know it's weighing on your mind. Next time you see me, I'll be uplifting, yes I will give you hope! I am learning as I go to shine on.

Shine on, shine on. There'll be time enough for darkness before everything's gone. Shine on, shine on, There is work to be done in the dark before dawn.

I know how dark it seems, Feel it coming up inside of me, And I feel it in you too, in everything you do. Next time you see me, We'll both be laughing, oh just to be alive! We are learning to shine, shine on.

Shine on, shine on. There'll be time enough for darkness when everything's gone Shine on, shine on. There is work to be done in the dark before dawn.

We went to hear Rani Arbo and her band Daisy Mayhem, the other night. As usual, we were not disappointed.

It was an unusually wet and cold Saturday for May, but all of the wooden pews and folding chairs in the old Unitarian church were filled. All you had to do was look around to see evidence of the hall's former use. What a perfect use for a former church!

And, could there be a better venue for a band that describes its musical genre as “agnostic gospel?”

Aside from the flat-out excitement and originality these four classically trained musicians bring to everything they play and sing, we enjoy their song choice. On any given night, they'll play LeonardCohen and Bob Dylan tunes, old hymns, folk tunes, American classics, spirituals, and sometimes country swing. Sit still long enough – I dare you! – and you’re bound to hear songs you know, or almost know.

Rani, herself, is a cancer survivor. She’s probably pushing 40, maybe a little older, and I could be wrong, but I believe she once said her breast cancer was diagnosed shortly after she gave birth to her son. To the delight of everyone in the audience, he sometimes runs around the stage while his parents perform.

Survivorship was one of the building blocks of birdsonawireblog, from the very beginning. I saw this blog as a safe place for survivors of one threat or another. Sort of a virtual cafe where we can sit around, sip coffee and gain strength from each other.

Almost half the women I invited to read this blog are cancer survivors. Some are dealing with it right now, today, as you read this post.

Others, like me, escaped with their lives long ago. My cancer was detected so early, I’m a bit embarrassed to put myself in the company of those of you who endured hellish treatments and relapses. Still, even a "little bit" of cancer left a big imprint on my soul. That's plenty for me, thank you.

When Rani started singing “Shine On,” it was all I could do to stay in my seat. I’m surprised every woman in the church didn’t rise up and join in to Daisy May Erlewine’santhem to surviving whatever it is or was that scared them. My grandmother used to say, a little bit of fear is a good thing. I’ll take just a little bit, please.

For a taste of Daisy Mayhem, go to http://www.raniarbo.com. They travel all around so, if they’re in your area, I encourage you to go hear them. We keep going back, and always have smiles on our faces when we leave.